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AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL 



October 



Crop Reports and Market Conditions 



Reports on the complete crop for 1917 indicate that 

 there has been a slight turn for the better since our last 

 month's report. This is due, no doubt, to the fall flow, 

 which has developed iairly well in most communities 

 where a fall flow is expected, and also to the excess over 

 last season in some of the western communities, notably, 

 Washington, Utah, and some parts of Montana and Cali- 

 fornia. 



The September 1 crop report of the Department of 

 Agriculture gives the average per colony yield over the 

 whole country as 36 pounds as compared to 46 pounds in 

 1516 and 37 pounds in 1915. Possibly that average is a 

 little high for this year, owing to the proneness of re- 

 porters to turn in failure of crops, whereas the large crop 

 man is more apt to make full report. Possibly we have 

 more than half as much as last year, but reports coming 

 in here would not indicate that the crop is over 60 per cent 

 of 1916, which would make about 28 pounds per colony. 



The late flows in Florida and Georgia have been very 

 good, those in Alabama and the central South poor, while 

 Texas, which has had an extreme failure, may be a little 

 better off in some localities. Most of the reports from 

 there indicate that the bees are dying from starvation if 

 not fed carefully, and that the crop will be negligible. 

 California's later flows have increased that State's aver- 

 age so that they probably have as much honey as last 

 season. In the central West the flow is small, but better 

 than expected. 



HONEY SALES AND PRICES 



A very large percentage of the honey is being sold 

 and shipped as fast as harvested. What was not con- 

 tracted for at a lower price earlier is selling now on a 

 basis of at least 12% cents for white extracted f. o. b. pro- 

 ducer's shipping point. We know of one car of white ex- 

 tracted which sold for 15 cents per pound, and many other 

 lots which have brought the producer 13 and 14 cents. 



In comb honey, sales of cars have been made readily 

 at $3.25 to $3.75, according to grade. Many of the larger 

 producers are holding or selling co-operatively and se- 

 curing a price of at least $4.00 per case f. o. b., while 

 $4.50 is no unusual price. 



What honey is not sold is being held generally for a 

 price of 15 cents for extracted, and some few reporters 

 are asking 17 and 18 cents in large lots in 60-pound cans, 

 with every indication that prices will not drop in the 

 near future. 



THE DEMAND FOR HONEY 



Some parties report tliat sales are diflicult at a price 

 above 15 cents in 60-pound cans. However, the number 

 of inquiries being received by producers and sellers show 



that the demand is very much above what it has been in 

 any recent year. A large Southern beekeeper who vis- 

 ited here recently states that most of the cane syrup 

 of the South has been exported, with the result that 

 honey is having to replace it on the tables of the South, 

 even at the present high prices of honey. 



Wholesale grocers are selling much more honey than 

 they ever did before, notwithstanding the fact that they 

 are having to ask a much increased price. 



If war conditions do not change greatly in the next 

 two or three months we do not see how there can help 

 being an extreme shortage in honey by holiday time. 

 Foreign buyers are still active, though none that we know 

 of are offering over 16 cents f. o. b. New York, out of 

 which has to come freight and profits of the buyers. 

 With the excessive ocean freights, this honey becomes 

 pretty high priced by the time it reaches the consumer 

 abroad. 



One lot of honeydew, ordinarily hard to sell at 5 cents 

 a pound, was offered to Eastern buyers at 11 cents per 

 pound. The offer was accepted, but the lot had already 

 been sold by the beekeeper. 



CONDITION OF BEES AND PLANTS 



."Ks stated above. Texas bees are perishing where they 

 have not been fed liberally, and are, therefore, not in very 

 good shape. In many New York localities heavy fall 

 feeding will have to be done. The same is true through- 

 out the middle West, where the honey flow has been 

 spotted; some honey extracted in some localities, but in 

 most the bees will do well to have enough to winter on, 

 and many should be fed soon. 



Recent rains throughout the Mississippi Valley have 

 helped save the clover from drought. It now looks as if 

 the clover plants would go into winter in fairly good 

 shape, which is all in favor of at least a partial clover 

 crop in 1918. 



INCREASE IN BEES 



A remarkable thing in practically all reports is that 

 though but few more bees were kept in 1917 than in 1916, 

 there will be a very large increase in number of bees in 

 1918. Almost without e.xception, reporters are going to 

 increase their holdings all the way from 25 to 100 per 

 cent. Many will increase by division, many more by 

 buying in box hives and transferring, but by far the 

 larger portion expect to take the pound package route. 

 It is to be hoped that conditions in the Souh next spring 

 are more favorable to early shipment of pound packages. 

 Many bees arrived in the North this year too late to 

 build up and make much surplus. Others report excel- 

 lent success, where shipments arrived by May 20. 



HONEY AND BEESWAX 



New York. Sept. 18. — As to comb honey, 

 nothing definite can be said at this date. From 

 reports we have been receiving, it appears that 

 a fair crop has been produced in York State, 

 but no prices have been established that we 

 know of, and therefore, cannot make any quo- 

 tations until the next issue. The same applies 

 to extracted honey, and no prices seem to be 

 established. Southern honey seems to he pret- 

 ty well cleaned up, and shipments now are 

 mostly in small lots, many grades selling at 

 from 10c to lie per pound. The second qual- 

 ity, such as light amber, is selling at around 

 8c to 9c, while very dark honey of rank flavor 

 is not selling for more than 6c to 7c. 



Beeswax is declining rapidly, and at present 

 is not selling for more than 38c to 40c for 

 choice yellow tock; darker for less. 



HiLDRETH & SeGELKEN. 



Ckicago, Sept. 18. — In regard to the honey 

 market, it is just opening up. We had about 

 100 cases of small lots, just in. which sold 

 from 18c to 20c per pound, and the market 



is' quotable at these prices. In extract honey 

 the market is from 14c to 14^jc. Beeswax 

 from 3.')c to 37c for the nest grades. We look 

 for high prices to prevail on honey the entire 

 season. We sold about 8 carloads last year 

 and expect to handle 10 cars this year. 



Coyne Brothers. 



San Antonio, Sept. 18. — Very little honey 

 is in the Texas markets. The only carload 

 offerings this year were from the alfalfa belt 

 in the extreme western portion of the State. 

 Prices in local lots have ranged (wholesale) 

 from 10c to 12c for extracted. Very little or 

 no bulk comb has been offered. Cotton surplus 

 did not appear until September and prospects 

 are not very flattering for more than 60 per 

 cent of a normal crop. 



Beeswax prices are 30c and 32c, trade basis, 

 with very little offered, and a feeling of stiff- 

 ness in anticipation of higher prices. 



Southwestern Bee Company. 



Denver. Sept. 18. — We are at present S' -«• 

 ing new honey to retailers at the following 

 prices: No. 1 white comb honey, per case of 

 24 sections, $4.,'>0; No. 2. at $4.00. 



Extracted white, according to quantity, 16 to 

 18c. 



We are buying beeswax at all times and are 



at present paying 34c cash and 36c in trade 

 for clean vellow wax, delivered here. 



The Colo. Honey Producers' Ass'n. 



F. Rauchfuss, Mgr. 



Chicago. Sept. 18. — During the past 30 days 

 we have witnessed an active market, with light 

 receipts. 



Fancy comb has reached 22c per lb.. No. 1 

 selling freely at 20c to 21c per lb., with few 

 ambers offered, but bringing from Ic to 3c per 

 lb less. Extracted clover and basswood blend 

 of good body and flavor brings 15c per pound. 

 Amber grades range from Ic to 5c per pound 

 less, according to color, flavor and body. This 

 applies to honey in tin. In barrels Ic per Ih. 

 less is the iirevailing difference. 



Beeswax is not active, but prices are ranging 

 at from 35c to 3Sc lb., according to color and 

 cleanliness. 



R. A. Burnett & Co. 



Kansas City, Sept. l.S. — The demand for 

 honey is somewhat limited at the high prices. 

 Best comb honey is selling at around $4.50 per 

 case of 24 sections, some selling as low as 

 $4.25. Extracted honey is moving slowly at 

 l.'ic a pound for light colored. 



No. 1 beeswajc is selling at 40c a pound. 

 C. C. Ci.EMONS Produce Company. 



